Durham Uni students showcase solar car in London

Students from Durham University are showcasing their latest solar powered car in London.

Visitors attending the London Motor Show this week will expect to see some of the latest developments and trends that will shape the future of the car industry.

The 50-strong ‘Durham University Electric Motorsport’ (DUEM) team, the only university carmaker presenting at the world renowned event, claims the vehicle can reach speeds of 70mph on solar power alone and is 98% efficient.

They custom-designed and manufactured all the components for the green car, which was originally developed for the World Solar Challenge in October last year.

Carbon fibre design was used which helped reduce the weight of the car by a third – at just 200kg – and the whole electrical system was redesigned, moving to a lighter battery pack to improve performance and efficiency.

Tobias McBride, a second year Economics student at Durham University Business School and spokesperson for the team said: “What we are creating is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the very latest technology, to globally educate about the importance of renewable technology in an environmentally conscious world and to inspire the next generation of those who dare to think differently.”